ISCN Global Mixer | U_CAN: Supporting Carbon Neutrality and Smart City Development in Ukraine

Against the backdrop of the grim reality of war and the massive destruction that Ukraine is enduring, the EU project “U_CAN. Ukraine towards Carbon Neutrality” also puts the sight on reconstruction efforts for the future. With the European Green Deal’s vision of climate neutrality by 2050 as a common reference frame, U_CAN connects six Ukrainian pilot cities with European counterparts under the Climate Neutral and Smart Cities (CNSC) Mission. The 48-month initiative, involving 21 partners (including 10 from Ukraine), fosters collaboration to develop innovative solutions tailored to local challenges, bridging local expertise and global best practices.

U_CAN drives change through three key pathways. First, it facilitates twinning partnerships between Ukrainian and European CNSC Mission cities, to implement tailored innovations, such as renewable energy systems in Zhytomyr, underground transit advancements in Kyiv, and positive energy districts in Lviv. Second, the project emphasizes technological modernization and standardization. This includes protocols for repurposing construction materials, retrofitting buildings to boost energy efficiency, and advancing renewable energy integration, ensuring these advancements are replicable across cities. Finally, U_CAN empowers people. Leadership programs, webinars, and knowledge-sharing initiatives equip local governments, communities, and stakeholders with the tools to implement and replicate these smart solutions across the country.

Many objectives are created decidedly bottom-up, assuring that strategic needs come from the cities themselves. The link to the European citizen science association and other various actors underlines the multi-stakeholder approach.

With innovation, multi-level participation, and capacity building at its core, U_CAN aims to chart a bold new path for post-war reconstruction, transforming Ukraine’s cities into global leaders in smart, sustainable urban development. 

For more detail, have a look at the recording of their presentation above. And reach out to us via iscn@giz.de if you see possibilities to contribute with your municipal knowledge and experiences to U_CAN, we are happy to connect you! As the speakers stressed, U_CAN is very open to collaboration, to jointly turn wounds of war into future-ready built environments.